How to Size an Uninterruptible Power Supply

This article explains how to determine the right uninterruptible power supply size to fit your needs.

How Big Should My Uninterruptible Power Supply Be?

The three significant factors to consider when setting up a UPS are the intended load (i.e., the combined voltage and amperage of all connected electronics), the capacity (i.e., maximum power output), and the runtime (i.e., how long it can supply battery power for). A UPS is most efficient when the capacity closely matches the overall load without falling below the necessary levels. In other words, you’ll want to avoid using a UPS with a lower capacity than the intended load.

1. Figure out all of the electronic devices you’ll be connecting to the UPS.
   

2. Determine both the voltage and the amperage for each device. It should be included in the device’s documentation or listed on its nameplate.
   

3. Multiply the voltage by the amperage to calculate each device’s volt-amp (VA) rating, then add all VA ratings together to determine the total VA necessary for your UPS.
   

4. It is recommended to exceed your VA totals by 10% to 15% (or more) to provide a bit of a protective buffer and account for growth over time.
   

5. To account for this buffer/future growth, multiply your VA total by 1.15 for 15%, 1.20 for 20%, and so on.
   

6. Compare your VA total (preferably with at least a 15% to 20% adjustment) to the UPS output/VA rating to find one that’s a good fit.
   

For example, if you plan to hook up a single M1 Mac mini (2020), which uses a maximum of 39 watts and around five amps if it’s used all day, the VA rating would be 195 (39 x 5). The VA total would then become 224.25 (195 x 1.15), accounting for 15% growth.

How Do I Know My UPS Capacity?

The capacity of your UPS is its maximum power output (AKA VA rating). When shopping for a UPS, the VA rating should be listed along with the type (Standby, Line-Interactive, or On-Line), input voltage, etc., on the box or product page. If you already have a UPS and want to check, the capacity should be in the documentation that came with the UPS and displayed somewhere on the UPS casing itself (likely on one side, the back, or the underside).

How Long Will a 300W UPS Last?

The available runtime for a 300 watt UPS largely depends on the make and model itself and how close to capacity the connected load is. Some UPS will last around three minutes with a full load, some up to five minutes, and so on. If the UPS is operating at a less than full load, it will likely provide backup power for a little longer than it would otherwise. Some UPS may also list their total load runtime, though you can calculate it for yourself if necessary.

How Do You Calculate How Long a UPS Will Last?

The commonly-used formula for calculating the runtime of a UPS is pretty straightforward, but you have to know a few additional values first.

1. Find the capacity of the UPS battery in ampere hours (Ah). This information should be included with the UPS documentation, on the listing page, or on the battery itself.
   

2. Find the input voltage of the UPS.
   

3. Determine the total load for the UPS in watts by adding up the watts used by all of the connected devices.
   

4. Multiply the battery capacity by the input voltage, then divide that number by the total load.
   

For example, a UPS with a battery capacity of 150Ah, 10V of input voltage, and a load of 700 watts should handle a runtime of around two minutes (150 x 10, divided by 700).